Never look to the inclusive, progressive art of your culture as signs that conditions are improving for the oppressed.

This amazing German expressionist work was produced in the 1920s. The film is about the expulsion of a Jewish community from 16th century Prague, and the creation of a monstrous being that will defend Jews from their persecution. A decade later antisemitism in German culture would become fully ascendant, leading to the most focused, comprehensive extermination of a people ever attempted. Never look to the inclusive, progressive art of your culture as signs that conditions are improving for the oppressed. In 10 years every seeming cultural gain could be washed away by one typhoon wave of hate that lifts the boats of the most resentful, reactionary forces in our society7